The562’s cross country and track & field coverage is sponsored by an anonymous donation, in appreciation of Coach Ron Allice.
The562’s coverage of Jordan Athletics is sponsored by former LBUSD superintendent Chris Steinhauser.
The last two seasons have been part of a golden age for Jordan boys’ track & field. The Panthers won their first CIF-SS title in 2022, then after moving up to Division 1 last season, held their own and took home the runner-up plaque.
The catalyst for those historic teams was Jordan Washington, who won individual CIF titles in the 100m and 200m in each of the last two seasons. However, Washington is already at the University of Arizona as an early enrollee with the football program, leaving a star-sized hole in the J-Town roster in 2024.
“It would have been nice to know about the departure of the top sprinter in the state of California and one of the best in the nation prior to the start of our offseason training, maybe we could have moved a little differently,” said Jordan head coach Sharaud Moore. “With his departure, our boys are going to be a little scattered, so on the boys’ side we’re going to look for some small wins.”
Also departed is state champion hurdler Darryll Stevens, who graduated after a terrific career of his own. But there’s still a solid core of returning talent to keep J-Town in the mix throughout the season.
Junior Jamar Andrews is a standout in the triple jump, where he’s the reigning Moore League champion and was seventh at the CIF-SS championships. He was also part of Jordan’s 4×100 and 4×400 relays, and will be looking to improve on his PR of 44-08.25 in the triple jump, hoping to have his season last a couple weeks longer in 2024.
“If he goes 44 feet, nine inches this year, that’s a win,” said Moore of Andrews, who is also a valuable member of the Jordan basketball program. “Any steady progress is success. However, we’re looking for a state berth for him in the triple jump this year. That’s what we want.”
Staying with the jumps, senior Jerman Simms, Jr. was the Moore League champ in the high jump by clearing six feet at league finals. He then went on to CIF where he earned an eighth place finish with the same mark. Simms and Andrews were also the Moore League’s fourth- and fifth-place finishers, respectively, in the long jump. Simms was also the runner-up to Andrews in the triple jump.
Senior Israel Poyer brings valuable experience to the throws. He was the Moore League champion in the shot put last season and took third in the discus. Fellow senior J’Moises Vazquez will compete in the distance races and was eighth in the 1600 at last year’s Moore League finals.
Coach Moore is looking to Fernando Reyes to contribute in the sprints, specifically in the 100. He also expects sophomore Tre’Jon Spears to step up in the quarter mile.
While the Panthers may not be as star-studded as they’d hoped, there’s still a solid group in J-Town working hard to maintain the upward trajectory of the program.
“We’ve never run from a fight at Jordan, we’ve never complained about what we didn’t have, we just come to work,” Moore said. “And I believe that is the key to our success here, is we don’t turn down any challenge, and we face everything head on and don’t make excuses. I’m grateful for my boys and the attitudes they have at practice. Every day at practice reminds me why I enjoy coaching, because of how hard these kids are working every day.”
